Advice on how to support my newly diagnosed friend

[Antocork]

Hi There,
My best friend was recently diagnosed as HIV positive. As you can imagine he's going through every emotion possible. He got diagnosed tuesday and was traveling to australia on wednesday to see friends so it's killing me that he's half way across the world with people that have no idea what he's going through and i'm over here worried sick! I have done nothing but research since tuesday so i can support him 100% when he returns in two weeks. He is as uneducated as i am in this so i want to find out as much as i can. How do i be a good friend? What to do / say? What not do do / say? Any links or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Anthony (Cork, Ireland)

[Jeff G]

Welcome to the forum . If you scroll up you will find links to educate yourself about HIV … Here is one to get you started http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/WhatIsAIDS_4994.shtml

And here is one for the newly diagnosed . http://www.poz.com/newlydiagnosed/

We have everything you need to get up to speed on living with HIV . I have lived with HIV for over 30 years and if I can do it your friend can to . Have your friend join the forum as well … we can offer him support as well . I’m wishing you both the best .

[Antocork]

Hi Jeff,
Thank you so much for the links, I will study them carefully.
I myself am waiting on my own results (tuesday 10th) and after my friends results i'm terrified. But whether my results are bad or good i need to educate myself anyway and i am disgusted i never did any sooner.
Regards,
Anthony

[mecch]

Why are you terrified - have you had unprotected sex? Or is it the shock of somone you know getting HIV?

[Antocork]

Hi Mecch,
It's a bit of both really. I had a drunken night about 6 months ago and can't remember whether protection was used or not. Also i suppose terrified of the unknown really. I have been doing alot of research through the Dublin Aids alliance and i am meeting with our local sexual health clinic here in cork on monday to get more information so hopefully my mind will be put more at ease

[Jim Allen]

Hi Anthony,

Next to the great links provided by Jeff, I notice you mentioned the Dublin Aids alliance.

The Dublin Aids alliance published a very nice Self-Help Guide called "Living with HIV in Ireland" It covers a lot of the specific help/treatment and support available in Ireland, I would definitely also recommend reading this one.  (Sent you a PM with the details)

He is as uneducated as i am in this so i want to find out as much as i can. How do i be a good friend? What to do / say? What not do do / say?

   

Sounds like your doing what you can at the moment and that's educating yourself and letting him know you are there for him if he needs you, that's great.

Other than that my 2 cents would be, to be reassuring and give him a super big hug when he gets back from his trip. :-)

Best of luck.

Jim.